Obesity is a chronic disease influenced by a complex interaction of lifestyle, environment, food accessibility and genetics. However, these factors are often shaped by broader social determinants such as work schedules, socioeconomic status and education, which drive people’s behaviours. Therefore, effective obesity prevention and treatment strategies must consider social and environmental conditions in which people live.   

In a recent Sustainable Food Systems Network (SFSN) Newsletter campaign, experts from the BETTER4U project and two fellow projects within the European Cluster of Obesity Research Projects (OBEClust) discussed major challenges in obesity research.

Reaching and Engaging Vulnerable Populations  

One of the major challenges is reaching and involving vulnerable groups in obesity prevention strategies. The BETTER4U project aims to better understand how genetics, lifestyle, environment and other factors may influence weight gain, with a focus on groups that are often less represented in research, including people with low socioeconomic status, ethnic minority communities, and individuals living with chronic illness or disability. 

These groups often face barriers that make healthy lifestyle changes more difficult, such as: 

1. Limited access to fresh and healthy foods
2. Higher participation burdens in research studies due to commuting costs, caregiving responsibilities, or limited access to digital technologies

Structural and Practical Barriers Across Population Groups  

Experts also discussed how everyday environments, working conditions, and digital accessibility affect the adoption of healthier behaviours across different population groups. 

The HealthyW8 project, which develops obesity prevention strategies across the life course, from primary school children and young adults to the elderly, identified several barriers, including:  

1. Restrictions on the use of electronic devices during school hours
2. Cultural food preferences and limited availability of fresh foods reduce the use of nutrition app recommendations   
3. Usability issues, such as technical malfunctions, small font sizes and fragmented app design, that hinder engagement among older adults

The Shift2Health project focuses on reducing obesity risk among shift workers by developing nutrition and behaviour-change strategies tailored to irregular work schedules.

Key factors influencing obesity risk in this group include: 

1. Sleep quality and stress management   
2. Ability to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviours despite irregular working hours 

Together, the discussions highlighted the importance of designing obesity prevention and treatment strategies that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse circumstances people face in their daily lives.